
A Christmas 

Present for 

Mother 



Fifteen 
Minute 
Christmas 
Play 



BY 



JOHN D. MACDONALD 



Published by 




265 West 36tb Street 
New Vork 



OLA 



or 



A Christmas Present for Mother 



By 
JOHN D. MACDONALD 



Price 25 cents each, postpaid 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

Public performing rights given free 
ixjhen 5 or more copies are purchased 




265 West 36th Street 



New York City 



Copy right IQIQ by Tullar-Meredith C» 
International Copyright Secured 






Requisites 



Scene— ^ sitting-room with fireplace; a small one- or 
two-burner oil stove hid in fireplace 

Characters— A Ita Good, Henry Good, Leon Good, 
Mrs. Good, Ola (a street zvaif) 

(Time— About 15 minutes) 



ftiJ-2 1920 ©CI.A561709 



•Vt. 



« / 



OLA 



A Christmas Present for Mother 

A Play for Two Boys, Two Girls and One Woman 

Alta (working on a tidy, sighs heavily.) 

Leon (whitdtnya stick, looks up at Alta). I say, Alta, isn't that tidy fin- 
ished yet? \ou must be taking a lot of pains with it, for you have been 
a long time at it. 

Alta. That is true, Leon, I have been working on it a long time. You 
see it is for mother, and I can only work qn it when she is away some- 
where. I have quite a lot to do on it, but I think I can finish it before 
mother comes home. 

Leon. You had better let Henry and me help you, Alta, and then you 
surely will finish it. 

Alta (laughing). Oh, Leon, it would be a tidy if I let you and Henry 
get in some of your stitches on it. (Laughingly.) I rather think that it 
would be an un-tidy instead of a tidy. I think you had better crack some 
nuts for mother and leave me to do this. 

Henry (zvho has been rubbing some corn off into the popper). Yes, Leon, 
you get some nuts cracked and leave sister to do her fancy work. I am 
going to pop this corn and have it ready for mother when she gets home. 
(Henry pops the corn and Leon cracks nuts.) By the way, Alta, what do 
you think mother will bring you for a Christmas present? A writing-pad 
or an automobile? You wanted both, but as we are very poor you will 
likely get only one of them. Which shall it be? 

Alta. Now Henry please don't tease me any more about that automobile. 
You know I was only fooling. Besides, there are a number ot tmngs 
that I need more than I do an automobile. 

Leon. I know what Alta wants, Henry. She would like a half dozen 
more brothers just like us. Come now, Alta, isn't that so? 

Alta. No, not at all, Leon. Two brothers are enough for me. But I 
would like a sister to play with. You boys tease me so. 

Henry. Perhaps mother will bring you one when she comes home from 
her Christmas shopping to-night. 

Alta. You pop your corn, Henry, and I will attend to my work. I can 
see that you feel like teasing me again to-night. 

Henry (to Leon). I suppose there will be a lot of happy children to- 
morrow, Leon, with plenty of candy and nuts and all kinds of presents. 
Bill Lark told me they were going to have a Christmas tree at their church, 
and they were going to give a present to all the poor in the town. 

Leon. Say, that will be great, won't it? Still, I'll bet there will be a lot 
of children that won't get anything, and I feel sorry for them. 



Ola, or A Christmas Present for Mother 



Alta I was reading a story yesterday about a poor little girl, who had 

no father or mother to care for her. She had no home, but used to sleep 

in any hall or doorway that she found open. And one cold Christmas eve 

she froze to death. It made me cry when I read it. 

Henry (dumping the corn from the popper on the table). Well, sister, we 

have no father, and we are very poor, too, but we have a nice home and 

enough to eat, and the very best mother in all the world. 

Alta. Dear me, boys, whatever should we do without our mother? 

(Knock heard at door.) 

Alta (hurries to put tidy away). Here comes mother; I'm so glad. (Goes 

to door, finds Ola standing there.) Why, little girl, who are you? 

Ola. Oh, please, may I come in and get warm? I'm so very, very cold, and 

I have no place to go, and no place to sleep. And I'm— I'm so hungry. 

(Boys go to the door also.) Come in, come in and get warm, you poor 

little thing. 

Henry. What is your name, little girl? 

Ola (shivering). Oh, I'm just Ola. 

Alta. Take off your coat and hat, Ola, and come up to the fire and get 
warm. You get a chair for her, Henry, while I get her a hot drink and 
something to eat. (Henry puts chair by fire.) 

Ola. (starting to remove coat). I guess I'd better keep my things on, 
'cause your ma might get mad when she sees me, and I'll have to scoot, 
'cause I get kicked out of lots of places. Most people don't like poor 
folks. They say we steal and lie, and lots of other things. But I don't. 

Alta. Here, Ola, eat this bread and drink this, and when mother comes 
she will give you some more. (Gives Ola hot drink and bread.) 

Henry. Where are your father and mother, Ola? 

Ola. I haven't got none; I'm just alone. 

Leon. Well, who takes care of you? 

Ola. I do it myself. 

Henry (coming closer to Ola). W'hy, who buys food for you? 

Ola. Nobody, only me. 

Alta (wiping tears azvay). You poor — poor — little thing. How do you 
earn money to buy bread and clothes and shoes? 

Ola. I sell matches and papers, and I run errands sometimes for the 
butcherman, and sometimes I scrub out the butcherman's shop. But I 
don't get much. And sometimes I sing on the street and I get as much 
as ten cents. 

Henry. Sing for us. will you, Ola? We would like to -hear you. (Ola 
sings one verse of "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.'') 

Alta (calls boys aside). Say, boys, let's keep Ola. The poor little thing! 
She can be our sister, and I will give her some of my clothes and shoes 
to wear. And we can all take care of her. 

Leon. Let's do it, Henry. Let's do it. We will give her to mother for 
her Christmas present. 



Ola, or A Christmas Present for Mother 



Henry. All right, we'll do it. When we hear mother coming we will let 
Ola stand in the corner and cover her up so mother won't see her when 
she comes in. What fun ! 

Alta (speaks to Ola). Ola, how would you like to live here with us, and 
have our mother for your mother, too? Wouldn't it be nice? 

Ola (standing up, looks surprised). Oh! Oh! O — h! (Mrs. Good knocks 
at the door.) 

Henry. Quick, Ola, quick. Stand over here and we will cover you all 
up before mother comes in. (Enter Mrs. Good.) 

Mrs. Good. Well, my dear children, have you enjoyed yourselves while 
I was out shopping 

Alta. Oh yes, mother, we had a splendid time! The boys were real 
good to me, and didn't tease much. Mother, are all those bundles Christ- 
mas presents for us? 

Mrs. Good. Now, dear, don't be inquisitive. Wait until to-morrow morn- 
ing to see what I have for you. (Places bundles on the table.) 

Henry (to Alta). I see a writing-pad, Alta, but no automobile. (Alta 
turns her head away from him.) 

Leon (very importantly, hands in pockets). Well, mother, we have a 
Christmas present for you, and we're not going to keep you waiting till 
Christmas morning for it either. 

Henry (excitedly). What do you suppose it is, mother? Give a good 
guess now. 

Mrs. Good. Oh, some candy, or some fancy work; isn't that it, Alta? 

Alta. No, not fancy work, dear mother, we have something better than 
that. Our new present moves, and sings, and is very, very useful. 

Mrs. Good (smiling). Oh, I know now. You have a canary bird. That 
moves and sing^s. and is indeed very useful, because it teaches us to be 
happy all the time. 

Henry. No, it's not a canary, mother, because it talks, too. Now a 
canary doesn't talk, you know. 

Mrs. Good. Henry, it must be a parrot. Come now, isn't it a parrot? 

Henry, No, mother, it's no parrot either. Guess again. 

Mrs. Good (pondering). No, I'll give it up. But I know it must be some- 
thing nice ; I can tell by your happy faces. 

Alta. Bring it out, boys, bring it out. (Boys carry Ola, still covered up, 
out to middle of room, in rigid position.) 

Mrs. Good. Oh, what a big present that is, boys! 

Leon (as he uncovers Ola). Yes, and it oan sing and scrub and sell 
matches. 

Mrs. Good (in surprise). My, children, what little girl is this? How did 
she come here? 



Ola, or A Christmas Present for Mother 



Alta. Mother, the poor Httle creature came to our door, so cold and 
hungry, and we brought her in. We thought she would freeze to death. 
And now, mother, we want to keep her. And she is your Christmas 
present from us. 

Mrs. Good (as she seats herself in chair). Come here, little girl, and tell 
me all about it. (Puts arm around Ola.) What is your name, dear? 

Ola. Ola. 

Mrs. Good. Ola what? 

Ola. Oh, no— not Ola What. It's just Ola. That's all 

Mrs. Good. Where is your home, Ola? 

Ola. I haven't got no home. 

Mrs. Good. But you must live somewhere, and some one must take care 
of you. Can it be that you are all alone in the world. 

Ola. I guess I must be, because no one gives me a home, and I take 
care of myself. I had a nice mama once and she took care of me. But 
mama was sick a long time, and she told me one day to always be a 
good little girl and sometime I could come and see her up in heaven, 
'cause she was going there pretty soon. And I guess she went to heaven, 
'cause 1 didn't see her since they took her away in a carriage. 

Alta. Do keep her, mother, and we will all share up with her. 

Mrs. Good (thoughtfully). Three little ones of my own to provide for; 
can I take another and a stranger? (Draws Ola closer to her.) Ola, the 
children say you can sing Will you sing for me? 

Ola (sings again one verse of "Jesus Loves Me"). 

Mrs. Good. Ola, would you like to live here with us, and let me be your 
mother in place of the one that's gone to heaven? 

Ola (excitedly). O — h! My! Live here? Oh! In this lovely house? 
(Rims over to the fireplace.) And be warm all the time? Oh, yes, yes! 

Mrs. Good. Yes, Ola, and not only have a nice warm home, but a warm 
place in our hearts, too. Now, dear children. I thank you all for your 
Christmas present. (Draws Ola to her.) And if you will all come closer 
I will read a few verses from the Bible. Reads Matt. 25: 34-40. Yes, 
after all, it is more blessed to give than to receive, and for His sake I 
will give this little one a home. 



Curtain 



r 



^. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



Entertainr 




014 211 951 1 ^ 



(+)OIVA: OB A CHBZSTiaAS PBESENT FOB IKOTXEB. In this 

little 15-minute play the Christmas present the three children 
of the "Good" family find for mother is none other than "Ola," 
a street waif who comes in to get warm while mother is out 
shopping. Alta, the only girl in the family, has been wishing 
she had a sister to share the trials which two (2) wideawake 
brothers bring to her, so she has a double motive in wanting 
to hide Ola away when mother comes and then bring her out 
and present her as a Christmas present to mother. Only five 
characters, 2 boys, 2 girls, and 1 woman, required. No special 
costumes needed, and the one home scene Is simple to provide. 
Five copies required. Price 30 cts., postpaid. 

(.f )MZSCHZEVOXrB E8THEB AT OBAVDMOTKSB'B. It was all 

Grandmother's fault. Having so many nice tilings hidden 
about the house at Christmastime should not be permitted, 
when the grandchildren are to be left in the house alone 
while grandmother goes out for the afternoon. Of course the 
boys were not mischievous, not even curious, but with Bsther 
it was different, for she was a girl. She was a very sweet one 
though, especially when the molasses she got into was all over 
her apron. It was Christmastime and everything ends right 
during this happy season, so putting the soiled apron Into the 
box from which she took the kitten and putting the kitten into 
the wash basin intended for the apron was only a slight mixup, 
from which mischievous Esther would soon clear herself. 
Three characters, 1 girl and 2 boys, 12 years of age, are em- 
ployed. A simple sitting-room scene; no special costumes; time 
about 15 minutes. 3 copies only required. Price 25 cts., post- 
paid. 
TXnSPKOHTN'a TO SAKTA CIJAVS. A Christmas dialogue 

for two (2) girls, ten (10) or twelve (12) years of age, who 
conceive the Idea of using the telephone to tell Santa Claus 
what they most want, and suffer no grreat sui^rlse when the 
very things asked for reach them through the "phone." A 
simple sitting-room scene in which a make-believe "phone" is 
installed furnishes the setting. Time of rendition about 10 
minutes. Price 26 cts., postpaid, 

(if)WSAT CHBZSTMAS DID FOB JEBVSKA OBTTMBI^B. Self- 
confessedly, she was only 58. but for years she had acted like 
sixty, that is to say, — oh well, in nature she had been true to 
her name, and when one's nature suggests a name like hers, 
it's quite a Job to change it. She couldn't forget that many 
years before, she had expected to change her name, but, oh 
well, it wasn't her fault, and Christmas came along and helped 
her to cover up the past and open a new future for her. Of 
course it couldn't change her name, but this little play tells 
how very effectively it did change her nature, and then the con- 
trast between name and nature was a charm in the hitherto 
repulsive life. It's a pretty story, made into a pleasing Christ- 
mas play. There are five characters, all girls; two scenes, 
easily arranged. Quite ordinary costumes are used and only 
5 copies of the book required. Time about 30 minutes. Price 
30 cts.. postpaid. 

(4') W A NTKD— CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. In Prolog, Three Scenes and 
Epilog. By Heater L. Hopkins. 22 females snd 13 male characters in 
the entire play, bat It can be given with 8 females and 7 males by 
having some assume different characters in various scenes. Time 
of rendition. 30 to 40 minutes. If only 15 people take part , 12 copies 
will be required. Price 30 cents per copy, postpaid. 

(+) CHRISTMAS CHRBR. A play in two acts for six females. Time of 
rendition about 20 minutes. 

Fonr young ladies are the members of a Sunday School class 
whose teacher has asked that each member of the class shall do 
something to bring "CThrlstmas Cheer" to someone who would not 
otherwise be remembered. Each of the girls, unbeknown to the 
other members of the class, decides to make the "Jones Family" 
the object of her Christmas visit. 

It turns out to be quite a "Surprise party." While one of the 
girls prepares the Christmas pie, the others of the class provide a 
pleasant entertainment. Wh^n the Christmas pie is cut, Caroline 
and Amanda find that It Is filled with the presents which the class 
brought. Simple setting and costumes. 6 copies required. Price 25 
cents. Postpaid. 

If the number of copies specified as *' REQUIRED'* is ordered at one time, a 
discount of ^3 l'3 per cent ivill he allonved from list price on all the above. 



